Time analysis at a banking system controlled by data bearing records

ABSTRACT

In an example embodiment, a Vehicle sensor senses the arrival and departure of vehicles in a drive-through lane. In particular embodiments, the system can calculate and store time data corresponding to each vehicle. Time data can be processed to determine the duration of transaction activity in the drive-through lane.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/460,642filed Jul. 21, 2009 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,714,444 which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/825,770 filed Jul. 9,2007, now U.S. Pat. No 7,848,830 which claims benefit pursuant to 35U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/819,692 filed Jul.10, 2006 and Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/926,137 and 60/926,210each filed Apr. 25, 2007. The disclosure of each of these applicationsis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to time analysis at abanking system controlled by data bearing records, which is classifiablein U.S. class 235, subclass 377 or 379.

BACKGROUND

Exemplary systems can be used to conduct banking transactions between aservice provider and remotely located customers. The systems can be usedin drive-through banking applications as well as in other transactionenvironments, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,299,891 and 6,146,057, whichare owned by the assignee of the present invention and the disclosuresof which are herein incorporated by reference. Other applications areshown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/245,641 filed Oct. 7, 2005,as well as in U.S. Provisional Application 60/719,932 filed Sep. 16,2005, the disclosures of which are also herein incorporated byreference.

Transaction drawers, which are also referred to herein as deal drawers,may be used to carry out transactions. Deal drawers may be used by aservice provider such as a bank teller within a facility to transferitems between the teller and a customer outside the facility. This maybe, for example, a person in a vehicle located in a drive-through laneadjacent to the teller. Bank tellers and other service providers mayexchange items with customers through the use of deal drawers to carryout transactions. Exemplary deal drawers are shown in U.S. Pat. No.6,789,860; U.S. Pat. No. 7,182,027; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/529,463 filed Sep. 27, 2006; the disclosures of each of which areherein incorporated by reference.

Exemplary transaction systems can include pneumatic tube conveyorsystems, deal drawers, and/or other types of transaction devices thatenable exchange of items between a service provider and a customer tofacilitate the carrying out of transactions. Exemplary improvementsenable the tracking of transaction activity that occurs in connectionwith such transaction systems. In addition, exemplary improvementsenable the tracking of transaction activity that includes vehiclemovement and positioning, by utilizing existing telephone systems andassociated wiring. Also, exemplary improvements enable the utilizationof tracking data in evaluating and improving the operation of thetransaction systems.

OBJECTS OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

It is an object of an exemplary embodiment to provide an apparatusthrough which a customer may conduct a transaction with a remote serviceprovider.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide atransaction system through which a customer may conduct a transactionwith a remote service provider without requiring the customer tosurrender their card or other item including account data or datarepresentative of value.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide atransaction system through which a customer may use a debit card orother item requiring a PIN to conduct a transaction without having todisclose the PIN to a service provider.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide atransaction system in which advantages can be achieved without having tomake extensive modifications to existing system components.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a devicewhich can receive card and/or other data at a customer station anddeliver that received data at a remote service provider station so thata customer's account may be appropriately charged.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a devicewhich transfers account and/or PIN information between a customerstation and a service provider station with a minimal risk that theinformation will be compromised.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anapparatus which tracks the duration of transaction activity that iscarried out for particular customers.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anapparatus which tracks data related to the duration of the transactionactivity and other transaction data related to each particulartransaction.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anapparatus that may be used in connection with transactions that arecarried out in connection with a pharmacy.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anapparatus which utilizes a telephone system associated with the facilityfor acquiring and/or processing data related to the duration oftransaction activity and other transaction data related to eachparticular transaction.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anapparatus which comprises at least one telephone switching interfacedevice to enable the acquisition of data related to transaction activityand other transaction data related to each particular transaction.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anapparatus which comprises at least one processor operative to determinetime values associated with data related to transaction activity andother transaction data related to each particular transaction.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide methods ofoperation of transaction systems.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a method ofoperation of a transaction system in which a customer may retainpossession of their debit card, credit card, or other item correspondingto their account or stored value while conducting a transaction with aremote service provider.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a method ofcarrying out a pharmacy transaction and which correlates informationregarding the transaction with data concerning the duration of time thata customer was present at a drive-through transaction device.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a method ofdetermining at least one time value corresponding to data related totransaction activity and other transaction data related to eachparticular transaction.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a method ofmathematically modeling the operation of the facility.

Further objects of exemplary embodiments will be made apparent in thefollowing Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments and the appendedclaims.

Many of the foregoing objects are accomplished in an exemplaryembodiment by a system in which a pneumatic transfer apparatus transfersa carrier through a pneumatic tube by air pressure between a customerstation and a service provider station. The exemplary system includes acarrier which may incorporate or have engaged therewith a body. Theexemplary body includes a card reader and a keypad. The exemplary bodyfurther includes a processor and a memory in operative connection with acard reader and keypad. The exemplary body further includes at least oneoutput device.

In an exemplary embodiment the customer at the customer station requeststo purchase items, such as pharmacy items, from the service provider.This may include, for example, prescription medications that are to bedelivered from a pharmacy. The service provider determines a totalamount due from the customer. The body is then delivered to the customerstation. The customer then passes his card through the card reader onthe body and, if appropriate, inputs a PIN through a keypad on the body.The card and PIN data input by the customer is then stored in the memoryof the body.

The body is then transferred through the pneumatic tube to the serviceprovider station. In response to an input at the service providerstation, the body outputs through the output device signalscorresponding to the input customer data. The signals are then used by acomputerized transaction device to process a charge against a customer'saccount. If the customer's account is successfully charged, the itemsmay be delivered to the customer through the pneumatic tube system.

In some exemplary embodiments, the body which is used to transfer thecustomer account data may be integral with the carrier that istransported between the service provider station and the customerstation through a pneumatic tube. In alternative exemplary embodiments,the body used to transfer such data may be removably positionable in aninterior area of a carrier which is moved between a service providerstation and a customer station. In some further exemplary embodiments,the body may also be movable between customers and the service providerthrough other means, such as through a movable deal drawer or othermechanism that enables the body to be moved between the customer and theservice provider.

In some exemplary embodiments, the system may include at least onevehicle sensor adjacent to the transaction device that is used by thecustomer, such as the pneumatic carrier delivery and receiving device orthe deal drawer. The vehicle sensor is operative to sense a vehicle in aposition adjacent to the transaction device. In some exemplaryembodiments, the vehicle sensor includes a wireless communication devicewhich transmits signals indicative of when a vehicle is in a positionadjacent to the transaction device.

The at least one vehicle sensor is in operative connection throughappropriate interfaces with at least one processor. The at least oneprocessor determines at least one time value associated with a time thatvehicles are in the position adjacent to the transaction device. The atleast one processor of exemplary embodiments stores multiple timevalues, such as a time when the vehicle enters the position and a timewhen the vehicle leaves the position, as well as an elapsed time thatthe vehicle is in the position for each transaction. Of course thesevalues are exemplary.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least one processor is also operativeto store the at least one time value, as well as at least one data itemthat is associated with the respective transaction. Such data items mayinclude information provided by the computerized transaction device.Such data items may include the types and amounts of bankingtransactions conducted with the user in the vehicle, images of checksreceived from a user, information about cash received from or providedto a user, assessments of charges, or other information that is providedby one or more computerized transaction devices. Alternatively, in apharmacy transaction environment, the data items may include informationconcerning pharmacy items provided, prescription data, data related tocharges, images of prescriptions that are received, and/or sound filesrelated to discussions that are had between the clerk and/or thepharmacist and the customer. Of course these approaches are exemplary ofapproaches that may be used.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least one processor that is inoperative connection with the at least one data store that includes thedata related to transactions, may be operated to provide reports. Thereports may selectively include, or provide outputs of, the stored datathat corresponds to the transactions, including the time values. Suchinformation may be useful for documenting the transactions, evaluatingthe time required for transactions, and other purposes.

In some exemplary embodiments, the system may include at least onevehicle sensor adjacent to an at least one through lane entrance of thefacility. The at least one vehicle sensor is operative to sense avehicle in a position at the entrance to the at least one through lane.In some exemplary embodiments, the system may include at least onevehicle sensor adjacent to an at least one through lane exit of thefacility. The at least one vehicle sensor is operative to sense avehicle in a position at the exit from the at least one through lane.

In some exemplary embodiments, the system may include at least onetransaction initiation sensor adjacent to the transaction device. The atleast one transaction initiation sensor is operative to sense aninitiation of a transaction.

In some exemplary embodiments, the vehicle sensor adjacent to thetransaction device is in operative connection with a telephone switchinginterface device which communicates signals indicative of when a vehicleis in a position adjacent to the transaction device. In some exemplaryembodiments, the telephone switching interface device is in operativeconnection with at least one processor.

In some exemplary embodiments, the vehicle sensor adjacent to the atleast one through lane entrance of the facility is in operativeconnection with a telephone switching interface device whichcommunicates signals indicative of when a vehicle is in a positionadjacent to the through lane entrance. In some exemplary embodiments,the telephone switching interface device is in operative connection withat least one processor. The at least one processor determines at leastone time value associated with a time that vehicles are in the positionadjacent to the through lane entrance. The at least one processor ofexemplary embodiments stores multiple time values, such as a time whenthe vehicle enters the position adjacent to the through lane entranceand a time when the vehicle leaves the position, as well as an elapsedtime that the vehicle is in the position adjacent to the through laneentrance. Of course, these values are exemplary.

In some exemplary embodiments, the vehicle sensor adjacent to the atleast one through lane exit of the facility is in operative connectionwith a telephone switching interface device which communicates signalsindicative of when a vehicle is in a position adjacent to the throughlane exit. In some exemplary embodiments, the telephone switchinginterface device is in operative connection with at least one processor.The at least one processor determines at least one time value associatedwith a time that vehicles are in the position adjacent to the throughlane exit. The at least one processor of exemplary embodiments storesmultiple time values, such as a time when the vehicle enters theposition adjacent to the through lane exit and a time when the vehicleleaves the position, as well as an elapsed time that the vehicle is inthe position adjacent to the through lane exit. Of course, these valuesare exemplary.

In some exemplary embodiments, the transaction initiation sensoradjacent to the transaction device is in operative connection with atelephone switching interface device which communicates signalsindicative of when a transaction is initiated. In some exemplaryembodiments, the telephone switching interface is in operativeconnection with at least one ‘processor. The at least one processordetermines at least one time value associated with a time that atransaction is initiated.

In some exemplary embodiments, the at least one processor that is inoperative connection with the at least one data store that includes thedata related to transactions, may be operated to mathematically modelthe operation of the facility and to provide reports containinginformation useful for altering the operation of the facility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary apparatus including apneumatic transfer apparatus and a deal drawer used for carrying outtransactions.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a portion of the service provider stationas shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the portion of the service providerstation shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the service provider station and thetransaction networks connected thereto for purposes of assessing chargesagainst customers' accounts.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an exemplary carrier which may be used inconnection with the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an alternative type carrier with anintegral transaction data storage unit, which may be used in someembodiments.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a carrierand transaction data transfer unit that may be removably positioned inan interior area of a carrier or in an alternative device fortransferring the unit between a customer and a service provider, such asa movable drawer.

FIGS. 8 through 10 are schematic views of transaction steps which areconducted through operation of the transaction transfer unit of anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a top schematic view of an alternative form of an exemplaryapparatus.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of exemplary transaction steps carried outwith the apparatus of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an alternative form of an exemplarysystem.

FIGS. 14 through 21 are schematic views of steps which are conductedthrough operation of an exemplary system.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are schematic views of steps which are conducted throughoperation of an alternative form of an exemplary system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is showntherein an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus included in atransaction system, generally indicated 10. The transaction system 10includes a service provider station, generally indicated 12, and acustomer station, generally indicated 14. In an exemplary embodiment,the service provider station is positioned within a facility 11 in whichgoods or services are sold. In one exemplary embodiment, the serviceprovider station is positioned in an interior area 15 of the facilityadjacent to a pharmacy operation which enables pharmacy items, such asmedications, to be delivered to customers adjacent to the customerstation 14. In the exemplary embodiment, customer station 14 ispositioned adjacent to a drive-through lane 1 7 in which customers maycarry out transactions while positioned in a vehicle.

In the exemplary embodiment, the service provider station is alsopositioned adjacent to a drive-through window 18. A movable drawermechanism 20 such as a deal drawer, may be used by the service providerat the service provider station to exchange items with customers at acustomer station 21 which is in a drive-through lane 19 adjacent to thedrawer mechanism 20. The exemplary service provider station includes aservice provider terminal 22. The exemplary customer station includes acustomer terminal 24 which is also referred to herein as a transactiondevice. Terminals 22 and 24 are connected by a pneumatic tube transferconduit 26. The pneumatic tube transfer conduit includes a firstgenerally vertically extending leg portion 23 which is adjacent to andin communication with the service provider terminal 22. The secondgenerally vertically extending leg portion 25 is adjacent to and incommunication with the customer termina 124. A transversely extendingportion 27 extends generally horizontally between the first and secondleg portions. The transverse portion 27 is connected to the verticallyextending leg portions through radiused bends in the conduit which areradiused to enable the passage of a pneumatic carrier therethroughbetween the service provider terminal and the customer terminal.

A first blower 28 is connected to transfer conduit 26 generally in thearea above the customer terminal 24. Blower 28 may be selectivelyoperated to draw negative pressure in the transfer conduit in the areagenerally above the customer terminal. Blower 28 further includessuitable valving so that when the blower 28 is not operated, air isgenerally prevented from entering the transfer conduit 26 through theblower 28. A blower 30 similar to blower 28 is connected to the transferconduit in the area generally above service provider terminal 22. Blower30 may be operated to selectively produce negative pressure in thetransfer conduit above the service provider terminal. Like blower 28,when blower 30 is not operating, air is generally prevented fromentering the transfer conduit through the blower.

In an exemplary embodiment, a carrier 32 of the type shown in FIG. 5, isenabled to be selectively moved between the service provider terminaland the customer terminal by the application of differential pressureproduced in the tube by blowers 28 and 30. As shown in FIG. 5, theexemplary carrier 32 includes a housing 34. The housing includes a firstend member 36 and a second end member 38. The first end member 36includes an annular resilient seal ring 30 supported thereon. Likewise,second end member 38 has an annular resilient seal ring 42 supportedthereon. The seal rings provide slidable and generally fluid tightengagement between the carrier housing and an interior wall of thepneumatic tube as schematically indicated 43 in FIG. 5. The angular sealrings enable the carrier to be moved in the tube through the applicationof a pressure differential on opposite sides of the carrier.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the exemplary service provider terminal 22 in greaterdetail. The exterior of the service provider terminal includes aninterface generally indicated 44 which includes a control panel 46.Control panel 46 includes buttons and indicators which are used by aservice provider to cause the carrier to move between the serviceprovider station and the customer station, as well as to input othercommands. In an exemplary embodiment, the control panel 46 includes abutton which may be actuated to apply differential pressure to transferthe carrier from the service provider station to the customer station.Another button included on the control panel may be actuated to applydifferential pressure to move the carrier from the customer station tothe service provider station.

In an exemplary embodiment, the customer and service provider stationsinclude an audio interface which includes a microphone and speaker ateach of the service provider and customer stations. This enables aservice provider to audibly communicate with the customers. Buttons orsimilar devices on the control panel 46 may be selectively actuated bythe service provider to enable the service provider to speak to and/orlisten to a customer at the customer station.

The exemplary control panel 46 of the service provider station mayfurther include indicator lights or other devices for providing theservice provider with information concerning the status of components inthe system. Alternative embodiments of the system may include additionaldevices for communicating with customers. These may include, forexample, video communication devices or other devices for facilitatingcommunication between the customer and the service provider.

The exemplary service provider terminal 22 further includes a transferopening 48. The transfer opening extends through the transfer conduitand enables access to the carrier 32. In the exemplary embodiment, theservice provider is enabled to place items to be transferred to acustomer into an interior area of the carrier when the carrier ispositioned at the service provider station. In exemplary embodiments,the items to be transferred may include pharmacy items, such as medicalitems, instruction booklets, currency, credit card vouchers, receipts,prescriptions and other documents and things that are exchanged inperforming a transaction.

In the exemplary embodiment, the transfer opening 48 includes a door SO.Door 50 is preferably a sliding type door that is movable up and down soas to selectively cover or enable access to the carrier through transferopening 48. The door 50 is selectively moved between its respectivepositions by a door moving mechanism (not shown). The door movingmechanism controls the opening and closing of the door 50 at appropriatetimes and responsive to the control circuitry of the system. Theexemplary service provider station as well as the customer station mayfurther include features of the incorporated disclosure of U.S. Pat. No.6,146,057 or other incorporated disclosures. Similarly, the customerstation 14 includes appropriate mechanisms to enable a customer in aposition at the customer station adjacent to the customer termina 124,which serves as a pneumatic carrier delivery and receiving device, toaccess the carrier 32 when the carrier is positioned thereto.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary service provider station which is positionedwithin a facility adjacent to a pharmacy which is schematicallyindicated 52. Pharmacy 52 includes items schematically indicated 54which are purchased by customers and delivered to customers at thecustomer stations through the pneumatic tube or the movable drawermechanism.

An exemplary service provider station further includes a computerizedtransaction device which is alternatively referred to herein as a chargedevice 56. In exemplary embodiments the charge device may include a cashregister, POS terminal or other device that can be used to cause acharge to be assessed to a customer's account. In the exemplaryembodiment, the charge device 56 includes an amount input device 58. Theamount input device 58 includes input devices, for example numericalkeys or other types of input devices, that can be used to receive inputsand/or instructions related to amounts to be charged to a user'saccount. The exemplary charge device 56 further includes in operativeconnection therewith, a reading device 60. The reading device 60 may beused in a manner later described to receive signals output from anoutput device on the carrier or other body. The exemplary charge devicefurther includes a further output device 62. Output device 62 in theexemplary embodiment, may be used to provide an output in the mannerlater discussed so as to indicate the status of certain transactionsteps which may cause actions to be taken, for example to eraseinformation stored in memory on the carrier or other body. As indicatedin phantom in FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment of the charge device mayinclude a selectively positionable input/output device 64. Theinput/output device 64 may include the functions of the reading device60 and 62. In exemplary embodiments where the carrier 32 is held captivewithin the pneumatic transfer tube conduit, the input/output device 64may be selectively positioned adjacent to the transfer opening 48 so asto achieve communication with the processor and memory supported on thecarrier.

As shown in FIG. 4 the charge device 56 may also be in operativeconnection with remote computers that can assess charges to customers'accounts. Such communication may be achieved through a networkschematically indicated 66. Network 66 may be comprised of a singlenetwork or multiple connected networks. Network 66 enables communicationwith entities that can assess a charge to a debit account such as anaccount of a customer at a bank schematically indicated 68.Alternatively or in addition, network 66 may enable communication with acredit charge processing entity 70, such as an entity associated withVISA or MasterCard Of course this arrangement for assessing chargesagainst customers accounts is exemplary and in other embodiments otherapproaches and system configurations may be used.

The computerized transaction device may also include other features forrecording data items associated with transactions. This may include, forexample, suitable reading devices and/or network interfaces that areoperative to record the type and number of pharmacy items or other itemsthat are provided to each customer. Alternatively or in addition,exemplary computerized transaction devices may be in operativeconnection with devices which capture documents, images or otherinformation. This may include, for example, a scanning device that canbe used to scan prescription data received from respective customers. Instill other embodiments, the computerized transaction device may be inoperative connection with systems of the type described in U.S. Pat. No.6,711,460 and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/805,149 filed Mar.19, 2004, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein byreference. Such systems of the incorporated disclosure may provide dataconcerning medical items and the compounding and fulfillment ofprescriptions related to such items.

In still other embodiments, systems of the type described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/414,290 filed Oct. 7, 1999, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein, may be used. Such systems may be used tocapture images of users, items, documents, merchandise, currency, checksor other things associated with transactions. Alternatively or inaddition, such systems may be used to capture video and/or audiocommunications which occur between service providers, customers,pharmacists and other persons associated with transactions. Of coursethese data items are merely exemplary of the types of data that may berecorded in connection with such transactions.

It should be understood that, while a pharmacy system has been describedin connection with some exemplary embodiments, the principles discussedherein may be used in connection with other types of transactionsystems. For example, banking transaction systems may include one ormore computerized transaction devices which are operative to facilitatethe carrying out of banking transactions for users. This may include,for example, systems which credit or debit user accounts, cause andrecord the dispensing of cash, image checks, provide updated balances,provide rolled coin, and carry out other transactions which areassociated with the banking activity. Such systems may also includeprovision for recording audio and video data associated with eachtransaction.

Other types of systems may include other types of computerizedtransaction devices that record data items associated with transactionsas are appropriate for the particular types of transactions beingcarried out through a particular system.

As shown in FIG. 5, the exemplary carrier 32 includes a body 96. Body 96bounds an interior area of the carrier which is adapted for holdingitems that are transferred between customers and the service provider.In the exemplary embodiment, body 96 has an opening 94. Opening 94provides access to the interior area of the carrier. A movable cover 98is selectively positionable so as to block access to the interior areathrough the opening or to enable access thereto. Movable cover 98 ismovable through rotation of an end cap 92 in the manner described in theincorporated disclosure.

In the exemplary embodiment carrier 32 serves as a data transfer unitfor transferring account and/or user identifying information between acustomer and a service provider. In the exemplary embodiment the carrierenables card, PIN and/or other data to be provided by the customer atthe customer station, and then to have such data delivered to the chargedevice at the service provider station.

The exemplary carrier 32 includes a card reader 72 in supportingconnection with the movable cover. In the exemplary embodiment the cardreader 72 is adapted to receive a magnetic stripe card therein. The cardreader receives a card of a customer into a slot and is operative toread magnetic stripe data from the card as the card is either insertedand/or withdrawn from the card reader slot.

Carrier 32 further includes in supporting connection with the movablecover 98, a recessed keypad 74. Keypad 74 includes a plurality of keys76. In the exemplary embodiment keys 76 are alphanumeric keys whichfacilitate the input of a PIN or other data or instructions by thecustomer.

In the exemplary embodiment the movable cover 98 further includes anoutput device 78 which comprises a display. Display 78 in the exemplaryembodiment includes an LCD type display which is enabled to outputalphanumeric data to a user. It should be understood however that theinput and output devices shown on the carrier 32 are exemplary and inother embodiments other or additional types of input and/or outputdevices may be used. Carrier 32 further has in supporting connectiontherewith a processor schematically indicated 80. Processor 80 includesthe capability to process instructions so as to carry out the functionslater described. Processor 80 is in operative connection with a memoryschematically indicated 82. Memory 82 is operative to hold instructionsto be executed by the processor as well as other data as hereafterdescribed.

Carrier 32 of the exemplary embodiment further includes an output device84. In the exemplary embodiment output device 84 provides outputs in theform of signals. In the exemplary embodiment the signals are infraredsignals. It should be understood however that in other embodiments othertypes of output devices may be used, including other types of radiationemitting devices including devices such as LEDs or RF output devices.Other output devices used in embodiments may include (but are notlimited to) electrical connectors, displays, RF backscatter devices,sonic output devices or other types of devices which are operative tooutput or otherwise provide signals.

In the exemplary embodiment, carrier 32 further includes a readingdevice 86. Reading device 86 is operative to receive signals from theoutput device 62 of the charge device in the manner earlier explained.The output device 84 and the reading device 86 are also in operativeconnection with the processor 80 and the memory 82.

It should be understood that although in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5the carrier body is integrally formed with the transaction data transferterminal, in other embodiments other types of data transfer devices maybe used. For example a body may be provided which is separable from thecarrier so as to enable the body to be removed from the pneumatictransfer apparatus. In further alternative embodiments a carrier may beremovable from the pneumatic transfer conduit such that the carrier maybe used for data transfer, and a different carrier placed in the conduitand used to transport items between the service provider and thecustomer. Of course numerous alternative approaches may be used. Stillother embodiments may not include a carrier or other device whichprovides such data transfer.

Operation of an exemplary system for purposes of carrying out atransaction between a service provider and a customer will now beexplained with reference to FIGS. 8 through 10. In this exemplaryembodiment the service provider receives requests from the customer atthe customer station, such as a request to purchase items. In theexemplary embodiment these would be pharmacy items 54 which have anassociated charge. The customer may provide documents, prescriptions orother information to the service provider. This may be done bytransporting these items in the interior area of the carrier, byproviding information through the communication system provided betweenthe customer station and service provider station, or combinationsthereof. The items requested by the customer will have an associatedcharge. This charge can be calculated either by the service provider orthrough use of the amount input device on the charge device or otherinput mechanisms.

In this exemplary embodiment if the customer indicates to the serviceprovider that they wish to charge their debit or credit card account forthe items to be delivered, the service provider operates the chargedevice 56 through appropriate inputs, to program the amount the customeris to pay into the carrier 32. This is reflected by a step 100 shown inFIG. 8. In the exemplary embodiment the programming of the amountinformation into the memory 82 of the carrier is accomplished by thetransmission of signals from the output device 62 (or with the combinedinput and output device 64) which are received by the reading device 86.Once the amount to be paid is programmed into the memory of the carrier,the service provider provides appropriate inputs at the serviceprovider's station to cause the carrier to be transmitted to thecustomer station.

At the customer station the processor 80 operates to cause the amountdue from the customer to be output through the display 78. The processoralso operates in response to programmed instructions in memory to outputa prompt through the display for the customer to provide an input so asto display and eventually select their payment options. This isindicated by a step 102. The customer then provides the requested inputin response to the prompt indicated by step 104. The input may be forexample, the customer touching one or more keys 76 of the keypad.

In response to input received from the customer in step 104 theprocessor is operative to cause the display 78 to output payment optionsfor the user. This is represented by a step 106. The output paymentoptions may include for example, prompting the customer to press 1 for acredit transaction and to press 2 for a debit transaction. The customerthen provides a selected input as represented by step 108.

In response to the customer providing the payment option selection, theprocessor is operative to cause the display 78 to output a promptrequesting that the user swipe their card through the card reader 72.This is represented by step 110. The input by the user from their cardthrough the card reader causes data to be read from the magnetic stripeof the card as represented by step 112 in FIG. 9. The processor thenoperates in accordance with its programmed instructions to determine ifit was a debit or credit card transaction that the customer selected.This is represented in step 114. If the customer has requested a debitcard transaction, the processor operates to provide an output promptingthe customer to input their PIN as indicated in step 116. When the PINdata is received as reflected in step 118, the processor then operatesto cause the card and PIN data to be stored in the memory on the carrieras reflected in step 120. Of course as schematically indicated in FIG.9, if the customer has requested a credit card transaction which doesnot require PIN data, only the card data is stored.

Upon receiving the data from the customer necessary to assess a chargeagainst the customer's selected account, the processor operates inaccordance with its instructions to provide an output through a display78 prompting the user to return the carrier to the service providerstation. This is represented in FIG. 9 by a step 122. In response to aprompt, the customer in a vehicle at the transaction device in someembodiments may cause the carrier to be transferred to the serviceprovider station through one or more inputs to input devices at thecustomer terminal. Alternatively in some embodiments the customer maynotify the service provider that the customer is ready to send thecarrier, and the service provider may provide the inputs necessary totransfer the carrier from the transaction device to the service providerterminal. It should be further understood that in some embodiments theprocessor may operate in accordance with its programming to provideadditional steps and functions such as to request that the customerretry the card reading steps and/or PIN entry steps in cases where thedata has not been properly received or stored, or in cases where thecustomer indicates that they have made an error.

As represented in FIG. 10 with the carrier returned to the serviceprovider station, the service provider through operation of the chargedevice 56 provides at least one input to the reading device 86 on thecarrier. This is done by the transmission of signals to the outputdevice 62 and/or through the combined input/output device 64. This inputis operative to notify the processor on the carrier that the data storedin memory necessary to process the transaction, is to be output. This isrepresented by a step 124.

As indicated in step 126, the carrier then outputs through the outputdevice 84, signals corresponding to the data stored in memory. This dataincludes card data and, if appropriate, personal identification number(PIN) data. The data output through the output device 84 is received bythe reading device 60 of the charge device and/or by the combinedinput/output device 64.

In response to receiving the data stored in memory of the carrier, thecharge device is operative to cause a charge to be assessed against theuser's account. In the exemplary embodiment the charge device isoperative to send appropriate messages through the network 66 to theentity that can assess the charge against the user's selected account.The appropriate charge assessing entity through operation of itscomputer systems generally responds to the charge device withappropriate messages indicating that the charge is acceptable againstthe requested account. Of course if the charge is not authorized, thenone or more messages indicative of this situation is sent through thenetwork to the service provider. In the exemplary embodiment the serviceprovider is notified whether or not the charge is acceptable throughoutputs provided through one or more output devices on the charge device56. These may be outputs provided, for example, through a display on apoint of sale terminal, electronic cash register, card authorizationterminal or other apparatus integral with or connected to the devicesused to communicate the messages to assess the charge against the user'saccount.

In the exemplary embodiment when the carrier outputs the datacorresponding to the customer's account information, a timer is run andreflected in a step 126. This is done in the exemplary embodiment sothat the data input by the customer is eventually automatically erasedfrom the memory of the carrier unit. This reduces the risk thatunauthorized access to this information will be obtained. If the presettime elapses without further action as indicated in a step 128, suchdata in the memory 82 on the carrier is erased.

In the exemplary embodiment an output is provided through the outputdevice 62 of the charge device or through the combined input/outputdevice 64, to indicate to the processor on the carrier whether thetransaction could be successfully processed. This is indicated in a step130. As indicated in step 132, if the transaction was successfullyprocessed, the processor operates to clear the memory of the customerdata as indicated in step 134. Alternatively if the transaction couldnot be successfully processed, but the service provider chooses toresubmit the transaction, the service provider may through the chargedevice cause the carrier to output the transaction data again asreflected at a step 136. As FIG. 10 indicates however, the carrier willoutput the transaction data a second time only if the timing functionhas not caused the data in memory to be automatically erased. If theservice provider chooses not to retry the requested transaction in step136, the customer transaction data stored in memory on the carrier iserased. This readies the carrier to receive new charge account data fromeither the same or another customer.

If the charge is successfully assessed to the customer's account, theservice provider in the exemplary embodiment will provide inputs to theservice provider terminal so as to open the movable cover 98 on thecarrier. The service provider will then place the items that have beenpurchased by the customer in the interior area of the carrier andprovide inputs to close the movable cover. Further inputs provided bythe service provider to the service provider terminal will operate theblower so as to cause the carrier to be transported to the customerstation. Once at the customer station the cover will be opened such thatthe customer may access the items as well as receipts, instructions,promotional material or any other things which the service provider hasplaced in the interior area of the carrier for delivery to the customer.After the items have been taken by the customer, the customer willgenerally leave the customer station and the service provider is readyto service another customer.

Other alternative exemplary embodiments may include types of pneumatictransfer systems in which the carrier, which is transported between theservice provider station and the customer station, may be removed fromthe transfer conduit. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary data transfer unitschematically indicated 138 which may be used in such an embodiment.Unit 138 includes a body 140. Body 140 includes annular seal rings 142adjacent each end which enable slidable generally fluid tight engagementwith the interior wall of a transfer tube which is schematicallyrepresented 144. Body 144 has in supporting connection therewith a cardreader 146 and a keypad 148 including a plurality of keys. Body 140 alsoincludes a display 150, an output device 152 and a reading device 154.Body 140 also has supported thereon a processor schematically indicated156. The processor 156 is in operative connection with a memoryschematically indicated 158.

The operation of the exemplary system which includes the unit 138 isgenerally similar to that previously described. The unit may beprogrammed with the amount due by the service provider at the serviceprovider station through operation of the charge device. This can beaccomplished for example, through the output device 62 deliveringsignals to the reading device 154 which indicates the charge amount.These may be for example, infrared signals or other types of radiationsignals. Of course as previously discussed, other types of electrical orelectronic signals including physical electrical connections may beused.

Once programmed with the amount data, the unit 138 may be placed in thetransfer tube and transferred to the customer station. Because thecustomer is enabled to remove the unit from the transfer tube, thecustomer does not have to extend themselves through a window of theirvehicle to swipe their card and/or provide a PIN input, or input otherdata to the unit. Rather, the customer may provide the necessary inputswithin the confines of their vehicle in the drive-through lane adjacentto the customer station.

Once programmed with the information, the unit 138 may then be placed inthe customer terminal by the customer and transported to the serviceprovider terminal. At the service provider station, the service providermay remove the unit from the tube and receive the account informationfrom the output device 152 so as to assess the charge to the customeraccount in a manner like that previously discussed. The successfulassessment of the charge may also cause the charge device to outputsignals which are received by the carrier so as to erase the customerinformation from the memory.

In this alternative embodiment, because the carrier is removable fromthe tube, the service provider may deliver items to the customer throughuse of an alternative carrier. Such an alternative carrier isschematically indicated 160 in FIG. 4. The carrier 160 may be similar inconfiguration to the unit 138 but may include an interior area in whichitems may be stored and transferred between the customer and the serviceprovider. As a result, the exemplary systems including the unit 138 mayemploy carriers only intended for transferring items in transactionswhere it is not necessary to receive account data from the customer. Inthose transactions where it is necessary to receive debit or credit carddata, the other carrier may be removed from the system by the serviceprovider and the unit 138 used to transfer the necessary account data.Of course it should be understood that unit 138 and its method of useare exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

FIG. 7 shows yet a further alternative embodiment of a data transferunit which may be used to deliver account information from the customerto the service provider. FIG. 7 shows a carrier 162 of a type that isremovable from the transfer conduit. Carrier 162 includes an interiorarea 164. Access to interior area 164 is controlled by removable cover166.

A data transfer unit 168 is removably positionable in the interior area164. In this embodiment the data transfer unit may be moved between theservice provider and the customer in a manner similar to other itemsthat are exchanged between the service provider and the customer. Unit168 includes a body 170 sized to be removably positioned in the interiorarea 164. Body 170 includes in supporting connection therewith a cardreader schematically indicated 172 for reading cards such as card 174 asshown. It should be understood that although card 174 shown is amagnetic stripe card, other embodiments may be capable of reading smartcards or other types of cards which include account information or datarepresentative of monetary value.

Unit 168 further includes a keypad 176 including the plurality of keysand a display 178. Body 170 also has supported thereon an output device180 and a reading device 182. It should be understood that body 1 70further includes a processor and a memory and may be operated in amanner similar to that described in connection with other describedembodiments.

Alternative embodiments may also include other types of input and outputdevices in addition to or different from those previously described. Forexample unit 168 may include audio output devices such as a speakerschematically indicated 184. Such an output device may be useful inproviding instructions for operation of the device by persons who arevisually impaired. In addition or in the alternative, unit 168 mayinclude a device and appropriate programmed instructions to receive andinterpret verbal inputs from users. Alternatively or in addition, unit168 may include a device for reading biometric indicia such asfingerprint reader 186. In some embodiments biometric indicia may bereceived for purposes of identifying a particular user and/or theiraccount. Such information may be received and stored by the unit andtransferred to the charge device or other device at the service providerstation. Such information may be used to verify that the transaction isauthorized or that the user is a person who is authorized to chargeamounts against a particular account. Alternatively or in addition,biometric inputs may be compared to data stored on a card or in otherlocal or remote memory for purposes of determining the identity of theparticular user and their authority to conduct the transaction. This maybe appropriate for example when a user is receiving medical items whichare narcotics through the system. In such cases the biometric inputs maybe used to further verify that the individual is authorized to receivethe narcotics and/or may assist in tracking unauthorized transactions.Further in some embodiments inputs such as biometric inputs or otherinputs may be compared to data stored on the user's card for purposes ofverifying that the user's card is being used by the authorized user.This data may be stored for example on a memory chip on a card and theverification may be accomplished through the processor in the portableunit. Of course these approaches are merely exemplary.

In alternative embodiments the portable unit may include other types ofinput devices suitable for accepting inputs from the user. For example,the unit may include a reader for reading other types of identifyingitems indicating how amounts are to be charged. This may include forexample, readers for bar codes, radio frequency identification (RFID) orother types of items or signals bearing identifying indicia. As a resultthe portable unit may be used for reading items such as benefit plancards or hospital ID bands. Such items may be used to communicateinformation on how to assess charges, including charges to be assessedto third parties. The information may be transmitted to the chargedevice and utilized for purposes of assessing appropriate charges,tracking medication use, or other purposes.

The operation of the unit 168 shown in FIG. 7 in connection with thetransaction system may be generally similar to that previouslydescribed. A further advantage of the unit 168 shown in FIG. 7 is thatthe unit may also be provided to customers other than by deliverythrough the pneumatic tube conduit. For example unit 168 may be passedto a customer through the opening in the wall 16 by extending andretracting the movable deal drawer 20. In this way a customer located atcustomer station 21 may use the unit 168 to provide card and/or PIN datafor purposes of carrying out transactions with the service provider.

In alternative embodiments the carrier or other unit may also serve toperform other functions. For example, memory in the portable unit may beused to hold .wav files or other data that can be used to provide audiooutputs. Such audio outputs may be used to provide the user withinstructions for use of the items delivered. For example, audioinstructions may be associated in a database in the establishment withan item being provided to the user. As a result when the item isindicated as being sold through the charge device, or in response toother inputs such as scanning a bar code on the item, a computer in theestablishment operates to cause the data to produce the audioinstructions to be loaded into the memory of the portable unit.Thereafter when the user is to receive the items, such as in a carrier,or at another time, the audio instructions may be output through aspeaker on the carrier or other connected speaker. Alternatively suchinstructions may be provided by a pharmacist for the particular user orfor the particular items. The pharmacist's instructions may be stored asdata and transferred to the memory in the carrier or other unit fromwhich they are output to the user. In some embodiments the processor maybe programmed to enable a user after receipt of the instructions torepeat them by providing one or more inputs. Of course these approachesare exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In some alternative embodiments the portable unit may also be utilizedto perform other functions. For example, persons may carry medicalhistory data on a card or other device. The portable unit may include asuitable card reader or other input device for receiving such data. Suchinformation may be transmitted to the provider of the item who can inputsuch data into a computer system that looks for allergies or possibleinstructions with the items currently being provided to the user. Inthis way the provider of the item can reduce the risks of such problemswith the items being provided. Additionally, the portable unit mayinclude the capability for delivering data to supplement medical data ona card or other item bearing medical information about the user. Forexample the portable unit may be programmed to update the data stored ona user's medical history card. The user may update the data through awriter device on the portable unit by engaging the user's medicalhistory card therewith. Of course these approaches are exemplary, and inother embodiments other approaches may be used.

FIG. 11 shows a further alternative system generally referred to as 188.System 188 may include features like those previously discussed. In thisexemplary system there is included a facility 190. For purposes of thisexemplary description, the facility 190 will include a pharmacy of thetype previously discussed. However, it should be understood that inother embodiments other facilities such as banking facilities, orfacilities which provide goods or services to users, may be used.

Facility 190 includes an interior area 192. Interior area 192 includes aservice provider station 194. The service provider station includes aservice provider terminal 196. Service provider terminal 196 of thisexemplary embodiment comprises a pneumatic carrier delivery andreceiving device of the type previously described. The service providerterminal is in operative connection with a control panel 198 which isoperative to receive inputs from a service provider for purposes ofcommunicating with customers and causing a pneumatic carrier to movebetween the service provider terminal and a customer terminal 200. Inthis exemplary embodiment, customer terminal 200 is a transaction devicewhich enables delivery and receiving of a pneumatic carrier of the typesthat have been described. Of course it should be understood that thistype of transaction device is exemplary, and in other devices othertypes of transaction devices may be used. In this exemplary embodiment,the customer terminal 200 is positioned adjacent to a drive-through lane202. Customers are enabled to move through the drive-through lane intheir vehicles. When stopped at a position adjacent to the customerterminal 200, a customer in a vehicle is enabled to carry outtransactions by communicating with and exchanging items with a serviceprovider at the service provider station. Although it is notspecifically shown, system 188 may include devices for audiocommunication between the service provider and the customer of the typespreviously described. This may include microphones and speakers adjacentto each station.

The exemplary system 188 further includes another drive-through lane204. Vehicles are enabled to pass through drive-through lane 204, and anexemplary vehicle 206 is shown. A deal drawer 208 serves as atransaction device which can be used to exchange items with customers ata position adjacent the transaction device in the customer vehicle. Ofcourse it should be understood that while in this exemplary embodiment adrive-through type transaction environment is shown, in otherembodiments other types of transaction systems, such as walk up systemsor other types of systems, may employ the principles described.

The exemplary embodiment further includes within the facility at leastone computerized transaction device 210. Computerized transaction device210 includes, as schematically indicated, a processor 212 which is inoperative connection with at least one data store 214. The exemplarycomputerized transaction device may be a charge device providing some orall of the functions previously described, or may provide other oradditional functions. The computerized transaction device of theexemplary embodiment is operative to record at least one data item thatis associated with each transaction. This may include, for example inthe exemplary pharmacy transaction environment, information about theprescription which is filled, the medications or other items provided tothe user, information about the cost of the items, information about themanner in which payment is made, information about the account fromwhich payment is made, and other or different information as may bepertinent to the transaction.

In the exemplary embodiment, the facility further includes therein atleast one computer 216. Computer 216 includes at least one processor 218which is in operative connection with at least one data store,schematically indicated 220. It should be understood that for purposesof this disclosure references to a computer shall be deemed to includereferences to a single computer as well as multiple computers. Likewise,a reference to a processor includes one or more processors. Likewise, areference to a data store shall be deemed to include a single data storeor multiple data stores.

The exemplary embodiment of the facility further includes a digitalvideo recording device, schematically indicated 222. Device 222 may be adevice that operates using the principles described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/414,290 filed Oct. 7, 1999, which isincorporated herein by reference. Of course in other embodiments othertypes of digital recording devices may be used. In the exemplaryembodiment, device 222 is operative to enable the recording of bothimage data as well as audio data that is associated with transactions.Device 222 is in operative connection with a plurality of cameras 224.Cameras 224 of the exemplary embodiment are operative to provide imagedata from a variety of points of view. This includes, for example,within the interior of the facility as well as externally of thefacility and adjacent to the drive-through lane. Further in theexemplary embodiment, device 222 may be in operative connection with thecontrol panel 198 including the microphones and speaker devices includedtherein so as to enable the recording thereof. Alternatively or inaddition, the device 222 may be in operative connection with microphonespositioned within and outside the facility for purposes of recordingaudio communications between the service provider and customerspositioned adjacent to the transaction devices.

In still other embodiments, the device 222 may be in operativeconnection with cameras and audio receiving devices that are included oncarriers or other items that are passed between customers and theservice provider. This may include, for example, cameras and microphonesthat communicate wirelessly between the carrier and the device 222. Sucha system may be used, for example, to record the playing of the audiooutputs that are stored in the carrier to assure that a customer hasreceived them. Alternatively or in addition, such cameras andmicrophones on the carrier may be used to further document the userverbal responses to questions from a service provider or a pharmacist.Alternatively or in addition, the recording of camera signals from thecarrier may help to record the image of the user for purposes ofdocumenting the transaction. Alternatively or in addition, if afingerprint reader or other biometric input device is included on acarrier, inputs to such a device may also be converted to data which iscaptured through operation of the device 222. Of course these approachesare exemplary.

In still other embodiments, the device 222 may be in operativeconnection with systems of the type described in the incorporateddisclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 6,711,460 and/or U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/805,149 filed Mar. 19, 2004. The device 222 may be operativeto record visual and audio signals associated with the preparation ofpharmacy items by robotic devices or persons at the pharmacy.Alternatively or in addition, the device 222 may be operative to recordvideo and audio communications between customers and pharmacists. Thismay include communications with pharmacists located at the facility orpharmacists or other professionals such as a physician communicatingwith the facility through remote communications. The delivery of theitems, receipt of cash, and other transaction steps may also be includedin captured image data and audio data, and stored through operation ofthe device 222. Of course it should be understood that these approachesare exemplary.

It should also be pointed out that, although the exemplary system isdescribed in connection with activities that are conducted in apharmacy, other embodiments may be used in connection with bankingand/or other types of transaction environments.

In the exemplary system 188, the at least one computer 216 is inoperative connection with output devices schematically indicated 226.Output devices 226 of the exemplary embodiment includes devices whichcan provide reports of desired information. Such desired information maybe output through visual displays, printers or other types of outputdevices from which information may be perceived. Further, in someembodiments the at least one computer 216 may be in operative connectionwith one or more networks 228. The one or more networks may compriselocal area networks or wide area networks of a public or private type toenable the data stored through operation of the system to be sent toand/or analyzed by authorized computers at other facilities.

The exemplary system 188 further includes a vehicle sensor 230. Vehiclesensor 230 is operative to sense a vehicle in a position adjacent to thetransaction device 200 in the drive through lane 202. The vehicle sensor230 of the exemplary embodiment may be of a suitable type, such as anultrasonic sensor, a photoelectric sensor, an inductance sensor, areflectance sensor, a weight sensor or other sensor that can detect avehicle in the position. Vehicle sensor 230 of the exemplary embodimentincludes a communication device 232. Communication device 232 maycomprise a suitable device for communicating signals from the vehiclesensor to remotely indicate the presence of a vehicle in the positionadjacent the transaction device.

Suitable communication devices may include, for example, a local areanetwork interface card or an XI 0 interface which communicates throughelectrical wiring. In other embodiments the communication device maycomprise a wireless communication device. Such wireless communicationdevices may include transmitters and/or transceivers that communicatevia radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR) or other suitable wirelesssignals. Of course these approaches are exemplary.

The system 188 further includes a further vehicle sensor 234 and afurther communication device 236 operative to sense a vehicle in theposition in the drive-through lane 204. Vehicle sensor 234 andcommunication device 236 may be the same as or different from vehiclesensor 230 and communication device 232. Of course these approaches areexemplary.

Signals from the vehicle sensors and the communication devices arereceived by at least one receiving device 238. Receiving device 238 isoperative to receive one or more signals from each of the communicationdevices, and to communicate with the at least one processor 218 in thecomputer 216. The computer 216 executes instructions stored in the atleast one data store 220 to carry out certain desirable functions whichmay be useful in documenting activities that are carried out throughoperation of the system.

FIG. 12 shows schematically an exemplary logic flow that is carried outthrough operation of the at least one computer 216 and the connecteddevices 220 and 210 of an exemplary embodiment. In the exemplary system,a receiving device 238 is operative to receive at least one signalindicating that a vehicle is in the position adjacent the transactiondevice in one of the drive-through lanes. This is represented by a step240. In exemplary embodiments, step 240 may include the execution of oneor more routines by the at least one computer to verify that the signalsreceived in fact indicate a vehicle is present in one of thedrive-through lanes, rather than an anomalous signal. Alternatively orin addition, the at least one computer 216 may execute instructions thatare operative to verify that the signals correspond to a vehicle that isstopped in the position adjacent to a transaction device, rather than avehicle or other item passing through the drive-through lane. The atleast one computer may also operate, based on the signals, to resolvewhich of the drive-through lanes a particular vehicle is located in. Ofcourse these approaches are exemplary.

Responsive to determining that a vehicle is in a position adjacent to atransaction device, the computer 216 is operative to record the time atwhich the vehicle enters the position. This is represented by a step242.

In the exemplary embodiment, the at least one computer 216 is alsooperative to communicate with the digital video recorder device 222 andto indicate that a vehicle is in position. The digital video recorderdevice, which also includes at least one processor and at least one datastore, changes from a state 244 in which it is waiting for a triggeringevent to a state 246 in which a triggering event has been indicated.This triggering event causes the device 222 to operate in a manner likethat described in the incorporated disclosure to begin capturing datacorresponding to images from selected cameras, such as cameras locatedat the service provider station as well as cameras with a field of viewthat includes the drive-through lane where the particular vehicle hasbeen sensed. The triggering event may also cause the device to begincapturing data corresponding to audio signals as well. This isrepresented in a step 248.

The at least one computer 216, after recording the time in which thevehicle entered the position adjacent the transaction device, thenoperates an elapsed timer in a step 250. As represented in a step 252,the at least one computer continues to operate the elapsed timer untilthe vehicle is no longer sensed by the respective vehicle sensor aspresent at the position adjacent the transaction device.

When the vehicle is no longer sensed as present, the at least oneprocessor in the computer 216 is operative to record the time at whichthe vehicle is no longer adjacent the transaction device. This isrepresented by a step 254. The at least one computer is also operative,responsive to the vehicle no longer being sensed, to record and resolvethe elapsed time that the vehicle was in the position adjacent thetransaction device. This is represented by step 256.

Before the vehicle leaves the position adjacent the respective vehiclesensor, the at least one device 222 continues to operate as representedin a step 258 to determine if the service provider has indicated thatthe transaction being carried out is complete. If there is no indicationthat the transaction is complete, the device 222 continues to operate inaccordance with its programming to capture data corresponding to imagesand audio information. This is represented by step 248. In addition inthe exemplary embodiment, the device 222 is operative to capture dataassociated with aspects of the transaction. This includes, for example,capturing images corresponding to scanned prescriptions that areprovided to the service provider. This may be done, for example, by theservice provider receiving a prescription from the user and the serviceprovider scanning the written prescription through operation of at leastone scanner in operative connection with the device 222 or otherconnected device. Alternatively or in addition, the prescription datamay be accessed online and captured. This may be done through operationof online image capture tools and/or by a screen scraper. Alternativelyor in addition, operation of a pharmacy in connection with systems ofthe type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,711,460 may result in certainonline documents being available. The capture of data corresponding tothese documents is represented by a step 260.

In the exemplary embodiment the service provider, either directly or inconjunction with a local or remote pharmacist or a robotic device, mayprepare and provide the pharmacy items or other items requested by thecustomer. The preparation of these items results in recording of dataitems associated therewith. Such data items may include image dataassociated with the compounding of medications, the counting of pillsfrom storage areas, the preparation of packaging, the application oflabels, the printing or recording of instructions, and/or otheractivities. The data items associated with such activities may be storedthrough operation of device 222 and/or the at least one computer 216.This is represented in FIG. 12 by a step 262.

In the exemplary embodiment the at least one transaction includes theprocessing of payments for the particular items or services that aredelivered. In the exemplary embodiment this is done through operation ofthe computerized transaction device 210. The data recorded throughoperation of device 210, such as the item information, account numberdata and quantity data, may be transmitted to the device 222 and/or theat least one computer 216. Alternatively or in addition, datacorresponding to images captured by the cameras, the carrier or otherinformation related to the transaction and the processing of payment maybe captured and stored. This is represented by a step 264.

After the processing of payment, the service provider is operative toprovide at least one input through at least one input device to indicatethat the transaction is complete. This is represented by a step 266. Inthe exemplary embodiment, such an input may be provided through the atleast one computerized transaction device. Of course this approach isexemplary.

It should be understood that although the functions described inconnection with steps 260, 262, and/or 264 are discussed as beingcarried out by certain of the devices including processors and datastores which are present within the facility, these approaches aremerely exemplary. In other embodiments a single computer or multiplecomputers in various locations may carry out selected functions of thetypes that have been described. Further, other systems of embodimentsmay carry out additional functions related to the fulfillment oftransactions of the type that are being conducted at the facility.

In the exemplary embodiment in step 258, the indication from the serviceprovider that the transaction is complete causes the device 222 to sendthe captured transaction data to the at least one computer 216. This isrepresented in a step 268. The at least one computer then operates inaccordance with its programmed instructions to record the transactiondata and associate the transaction data, time values and otherinformation associated with the transaction as is appropriate forstorage of the data records corresponding to the transaction in the atleast one data store. This is represented in a step 270. The at leastone computer then operates to store the associated records in the atleast one data store, as represented by a step 2

It will be appreciated that the at least one computer 216 causes the atleast one processor therein to operate so as to produce records thatcorrelate the one or more time values associated with the sensing ofvehicles with at least one data item that is provided through the atleast one computerized transaction device. This data is useful forpurposes of analysis, and can be used for documenting transactions aswell as making improvements in the overall operation of the system.

For example, the at least one computer 216 may operate in accordancewith its programmed instructions to provide reports and outputs throughone or more output devices 226. Such reports may include informationthat can be recovered from the data store in operative connection withthe at least one computer or other devices connected in the system. Forexample, such reports may be used to document the events that occurredin transactions and/or the person who was involved in a particulartransaction. Such information may also be used to determine the lengthof time that a vehicle was present at a position adjacent to thetransaction device, as well as the events which occurred during suchtime. Such information may be used to help to improve efficiencies bystudying the transaction information. Further, as will be appreciated,embodiments may be used to minimize the risk of fraud and the improperuse of medications. Of course these approaches are merely exemplary.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an alternative exemplary embodiment is shownof a system 388 comprising a facility 390 adapted to accomplishtransactions. The facility 390 may, by way of example only, be apharmacy or a bank or any of a wide variety of commercial venues whichprovide goods and/or services to persons by way of at least onedrive-through or through lane 402,404. Thus, vehicles 406, includingautomobiles and trucks, as well as persons on bicycles or motorcycles,or even on individuals on foot, may engage in transactions with serviceproviders at a service provider station 394 within an interior 392 ofthe facility.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the interior 392 of thefacility 390 includes a telephone system 396. Exemplary telephonesystems 396 include, but are not limited to, a Private Branch eXchange(PBX), also known as a Private Business eXchange or Private AutomaticBranch eXchange (P ABX). Such systems are known in the art and have thecapability of providing a variety of telephone features within thecommercial business enterprise. Also included are at least one processor418 in operative connection with at least one data store 420 and inoperative connection with the telephone system 396. The processor 418 isin further operative connection to at least one output device 426. Aswill be appreciated, the processor 418 may be a computer or otherapparatus capable of manipulating data according to a list ofinstructions, and the processor 418, the data store 420, and/or theoutput device 426 may comprise a portion of the telephone system 396. Asit will also be appreciated in some embodiments, one or more processorsmay be embodied in each of the variety of sensors 434, 438, 440.Further, the output device 426 may include, by way of example only, afurther processor, a computer screen, a digital storage device such as ahard drive, optical disk storage media such as a compact disk (CD) ordigital versatile disk (DVD), or solid state drives such as flashdrives. Such output devices 426 may be local to the facility 390 orremote. Of course these approaches are exemplary.

Further included in the exemplary system 388 shown in FIG. 13 is atleast one transaction device 400, 400′, 408 through which items areexchanged between a service provider (not shown) at a service providerstation 394 within the interior 392 of the facility and a person (notshown) in a vehicle 406 at a position in the through lane 402,404adjacent the transaction device 400, 408. Various types of transactiondevices 400, 400′, 408 may be utilized. For example, a deal drawer 408may be utilized when engaging in a transaction with a person in avehicle 406 in the at least one through lane 404 adjacent to theinterior 392 of the facility 390. Alternatively, by way of example only,a person in a vehicle 406 in the through lane 402 may exchange itemswith a service provider within the interior 392 of the facility 390 viaa pneumatic tube transaction device 400, 400′.

Still further included in the exemplary system 388 shown in FIG. 13 maybe at least one transaction initiator (not shown) which may include, byway of example only, a “CALL” button by which the service provider maybe alerted to the need to provide service to a person in a vehicle 406.

Still further included in the exemplary system 388 shown in FIG. 13 isat least one vehicle sensor 434. The vehicle sensor 434 is adapted tosense the presence of a vehicle 406 at a position in the through lane402, 404. The vehicle sensor 434 may comprise, by way of example only,an inductive sensor, a load sensor, a laser, infrared, or other lightbeam sensor, or, by way of a video camera 424, visual recognition. Suchvehicle sensors 434, when appropriately placed, are capable of sensing avariety of data regarding the position of a vehicle 406 in the throughlanes 402, 404. In some exemplary systems, it may be desirable to detectthe arrival of a vehicle 406 at an entrance to a through lane 402, 404,the arrival of a vehicle 406 at a position adjacent to the transactiondevice 400, 408, the departure of a vehicle 406 from the positionadjacent to the transaction device, the arrival of a vehicle 406 at aposition at an exit from the through lane 402, 404, and the departure ofa vehicle 406 from the position at the exit from the through lane 402,404. Of course these sensing locations are exemplary.

Optionally included in the exemplary system 388 shown in FIG. 13 is atleast one transaction sensor 438 associated with the transaction device400, 400′, 408. Such transaction sensor 4 3 8 is adapted to sense eventsoccurring during the transaction. In some embodiments a transactionsensor may be operative to sense the presence or movement of one or moredevice components or one or more signals that correspond to itemexchange between the service provider and the customer. For example, oneor more sensors may sense when the service provider responds to atransaction initiation, when the deal drawer 408 is extended toward theperson in the vehicle 406 or withdrawn toward the service providerwithin the interior 392 of the facility 390, or when an item is sent viathe pneumatic transaction device 400, 400′ or returned to the serviceprovider. Of course these events that are sensed are merely exemplary.

Further optionally included in the exemplary system 388 shown in FIG. 13is at least one transaction initiation sensor 440, 440′ associated witha transaction initiator (not shown) such as a “CALL” button which wouldbe activated by the person in the vehicle 406 or the opening of acircuit to enable voice communication which would be activated by theservice provider. Such transaction initiation sensor 440, 440′ isadapted to sense, for example, signals generated by a switch or otherdevice that are generated responsive to the depressing of the “CALL”button alerting the service provider to the presence of a persondesiring to engage in a transaction or the initiation or acknowledgementby the service provider.

Importantly, the exemplary system 388 shown in FIG. 13 comprises atleast one telephone switching interface device 436 in operativeconnection with at least one sensor 424, 434, 438, 440. The telephoneswitching interface device 436 is further in operative connection withthe telephone system 396 and the processor 418. Thus, the at least onesensor 424, 434, 438, 440 is in operative connection with the processor418. The operative connection between the telephone system 393 and thetelephone switching interface device 436, may, as an example only, beeffected via conventional telephone wires and conductor jacks such astype RJ-11. The telephone switching interface device 436 is operative,responsive to a signal from the at least one sensor 424, 434, 438, 440,to establish communication with the telephone system 393 using, forexample dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals. In an exemplaryembodiment, the telephone switching interface device 436 is a PBXinterface device. Thus, numerous events associated with transactions atthe facility 390 may be sensed and communicated to the processor 418 viaconventional telephone lines.

The processor 418 of the exemplary embodiment is operative to determineat least one time value corresponding to events associated withtransactions at the facility 390 and store such in the data store 420.Further, such data may be made available to one or more output devices426. The processor 418 may be further operative, to determine, by way ofexample only, system metrics such as total vehicles 406, the wait timefrom entering the through lane 402, 404 to reaching the transactiondevice 400, 408, the wait time from requesting service with thetransaction initiator to response by the service provider, the totaltime a vehicle 406 is at the transaction device 400, 408, and delaycaused by a blocking vehicle 406 stopped at the exit from the throughlane 402, 404. Finally, the processor 418, or other processor, may beoperative to model, using, for example, discrete event simulation, thesystem 388, thus enabling alteration and improvement of the operation ofthe system 388 or the facility 390.

Exemplary operation of the system 388 can best be understood byreference to FIGS. 14 through 23, in addition to FIG. 13. The arrival ofa vehicle 406 at an entrance (nominally, Position 1, FIG. 14, Step 500)to the through lane 402,404 is sensed by a vehicle sensor 434. (FIG. 14,Step 500.) The vehicle sensor 434 communicates a signal corresponding tothe arrival of the vehicle 406 at the entrance to a through lane 402,404 to the telephone switching interface device 436. (FIG. 14, Step502.) The telephone switching interface device 436 establishescommunication between the telephone switching interface device 436 andthe telephone system 396. (FIG. 14, Step 504.) The telephone switchinginterface device 436 communicates to the processor 418 at least onesignal corresponding to the arrival of the vehicle 406 at the entranceto the through lane 402, 404. (FIG. 14, Step 506.) For example, thesignal may comprise a through lane 402, 404 identifier (e.g., 101) and aposition identifier (e.g., 001). The processor 418 determines a timevalue (FIG. 14, Step 507) associated with the signal corresponding tothe arrival of the vehicle 406 at the entrance to the through lane402,404 and stores the data corresponding to the time value in the datastore 420 (e.g., 01001 mmddyyyhhmmss). (FIG. 14, Step 508.)

In an exemplary embodiment departure of the vehicle 406 from theentrance to the through lane 402, 404 is likewise sensed by the vehiclesensor 434. (Position 1, FIG. 15, Step 510.) Similar to the stepsoutlined in FIG. 14, the vehicle sensor 434 communicates a signalcorresponding to the departure of the vehicle 406 from the entrance tothe through lane 402, 404 to the telephone switching interface device436 (FIG. 15, Step 512). The telephone switching interface device 436establishes communication between the telephone switching interfacedevice 436 and the telephone system 396 (FIG. 15, Step 514). Thetelephone switching interface device 4 3 6 communicates to the processor418 a signal corresponding to the departure of the vehicle 406 from theentrance to the through lane 402, 404 (FIG. 15, Step 516), and theprocessor 418 determines a time value (FIG. 15, Step 517) associatedwith the signal corresponding to the departure of the vehicle 406 fromthe entrance to the through lane 402, 404 and stores the data in thedata store 420 (FIG. 15, Step 518). As will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art, communication between the telephone switchinginterface device 436 and the telephone system 396 may not have to bereestablished if communication has not been terminated.

Similarly, in the exemplary embodiment the arrival of a vehicle 406 atthe position adjacent the transaction device 400, 408 (nominally,Position 2, FIG. 16, Step 520) in the through lane 402, 404 is sensed bythe vehicle sensor 434. (FIG. 16, Step 520.) The vehicle sensor 434communicates a signal corresponding to the arrival of the vehicle 406 atthe position adjacent the transaction device 400, 408 to the telephoneswitching interface device 436. (FIG. 16, Step 522.) The telephoneswitching interface device 436 establishes communication between ‘thetelephone switching interface device 436 and the telephone system 396.(FIG. 16, Step 524.) The telephone switching interface device 436communicates to the processor 418 at least one signal corresponding tothe arrival of the vehicle 406 at the position adjacent to thetransaction device 400, 408. (FIG. 16, Step 526.) The processor 418determines a time value (FIG. 16, Step 527) associated with the signalcorresponding to the arrival of the vehicle 406 at the position adjacentthe transaction device 400, 408 and stores the data corresponding to thetime value in the data store 420. (FIG. 16, Step 528.)

Upon arrival of the vehicle 406 at the position adjacent the transactiondevice 400, 408, the person in the vehicle 406 may press a “CALL” buttonto alert the service provider within the interior 392 of the facility390. Such event is sensed by the transaction initiation sensor 440.(FIG. 17, Step 530.) The transaction initiation sensor 440 communicatesa signal corresponding to the activation of the “CALL” button to thetelephone switching interface device 436. (FIG. 17, Step 532.) Thetelephone switching interface device 436 establishes communicationbetween the telephone switching interface device 436 and the telephonesystem 396. (FIG. 17, Step 534.) The telephone switching interfaceswitching device 436 communicates to the processor 418 a signalcorresponding to the activation of the “CALL” button. (FIG. 17, Step536.) Alternatively, upon becoming aware of someone in need of serviceand before the person in the vehicle 406 presses the “CALL” button, theservice provider may initiate the transaction by, for example,establishing voice communication. The processor 418 determines a timevalue (FIG. 17, Step 537) associated with the signal corresponding tothe initiation of the transaction and stores the data corresponding tothe time value in the data store 420. (FIG. 17, Step 538.)

Turning now to FIG. 18, as the exemplary transaction proceeds, an eventcorresponding to the exchange of at least one item is sensed by the atleast one transaction sensor 438. (FIG. 18, Step 540.) Such event maycomprise, by way of example only, the placing of an item in a positionpreparatory to an exchange, the departure from the interior 392 of anitem, the arrival of an item in a position preparatory to withdrawalfrom the transaction device 400, 400′, 408, the removal of an item fromthe transaction device 400, 400′, 408, or combinations thereof. Thetransaction sensor 438 senses a device component or signal related tosuch item or activity and communicates a signal corresponding to anevent corresponding to the exchange of at least one item to thetelephone switching interface device 436. (FIG. 18, Step 542.) Thetelephone switching interface device 436 establishes communicationbetween the telephone switching interface device 436 and the telephonesystem 396. (FIG. 18, Step 544.) The telephone switching interfacedevice 436 communicates to the processor 418 a signal corresponding toan event corresponding to the exchange of the at least one item. (FIG.18, Step 546.) The processor 418 determines a time value (FIG. 18, Step547) associated with the signal corresponding to an event correspondingto the exchange of the at least one item and stores the data in the datastore 420. (FIG. 18, Step 548.)

In the exemplary embodiment, departure of a vehicle 406 from theposition adjacent the transaction device 400, 408 (Position 2, FIG. 19,Step 550) in the through lane 402, 404 is sensed by a vehicle sensor434. (FIG. 19, Step 550.) Similar to the steps outlined in FIG. 15, thevehicle sensor 434 communicates a signal corresponding to the departureof the vehicle 406 from the position adjacent the transaction device440,408 to the telephone switching interface device 436 (FIG. 19, Step552), the telephone switching interface device 436 establishescommunication between the telephone switching interface device 436 andthe telephone system 396 (FIG. 19, Step 554}, the telephone switchinginterface device 436 communicates to the processor 418 a signalcorresponding to the departure of the vehicle 406 from the positionadjacent the transaction device 440, 408 (FIG. 19, Step 556), and theprocessor 418 determines a time value (FIG. 19, Step 557) associatedwith the signal corresponding to the departure of the vehicle 406 fromthe position adjacent the transaction device 440, 408 and stores thedata corresponding to the time value in the data store 420 (FIG. 19,Step 558).

In the exemplary embodiment, arrival of a vehicle 406 at a position atan exit (nominally, Position 3, FIG. 20, Step 560) from the through lane402,404 is sensed by a vehicle sensor 434. (FIG. 20, Step 560.) Thevehicle sensor 434 communicates a signal corresponding to the arrival ofthe vehicle 406 at the exit from a through lane 402,404 to the telephoneswitching interface device 436. (FIG. 20, Step 562.) The telephoneswitching interface device 436 establishes communication between thetelephone switching interface device 436 and the telephone system 396.(FIG. 20, Step 564.) The telephone switching interface device 436communicates to the processor 418 a signal corresponding to the arrivalof the vehicle 406 at the exit from the through lane 402,404. (FIG. 20,Step 566.) The processor 418 determines a time value (FIG. 20, Step 567)associated with the signal corresponding to the arrival of the vehicle406 at the exit from the through lane 402, 404 and stores the datacorresponding to the time value in the data store 420. (FIG. 20, Step568.)

Similarly, in the exemplary embodiment the departure of the vehicle 406from the position at the exit from the through lane 402, 404 is likewisesensed by the vehicle sensor 434. (FIG. 21, Step 570.) Similar to thesteps outlined in FIG. 20, the vehicle sensor 434 communicates a signalcorresponding to the departure of the vehicle 406 from the entrance tothe through lane 402, 404 to the telephone switching interface device436 (FIG. 21, Step 572). The telephone switching interface device 436establishes communication between the telephone switching interfacedevice 436 and the telephone system 396 (FIG. 21, Step 574).

The telephone switching interface device 436 communicates to theprocessor 418 at least one signal corresponding to the departure of thevehicle 406 from the position at the exit from the through lane 402, 404(FIG. 21, Step 576), and the processor 418 determines a time value (FIG.21, Step 577) associated with the signal corresponding to the departureof the vehicle 406 from the position at the exit from the through lane402, 404 and stores the data corresponding to the time value in the datastore 420 (FIG. 21, Step 578).

An alternative exemplary operation of the system 388 can be understoodby reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, in addition to FIG. 13. An eventassociated with the operation of the facility 390 is sensed by at leastone of a vehicle sensor 434, transaction sensor 438, transactioninitiation sensor 440, or combinations thereof. (FIG. 22, Step 580.) Theat least one sensor 434,438,440 communicates a signal corresponding tothe event to the telephone switching interface device 436. (FIG. 22,Step 582.) The telephone switching interface device 436 establishescommunication between the telephone switching interface device 436 andthe telephone system 396. (FIG. 22, Step 584.) The telephone switchinginterface device 436 communicates to the processor 418 a signalcorresponding to the event. (FIG. 22, Step 586.) The processor 418determines a time value (FIG. 22, Step 587) associated with the signalcorresponding to the event and stores the data in the data store 420.(FIG. 23, Step 588.)

Upon the acquisition of sufficient data associated with the operation ofthe facility 390, the operation of the facility 390 and the system 388may be modeled using, for example, event analysis software and/ordiscrete event simulation software operating in a computer to evaluatethe time-based behavior of the system 388. For example, it may bedynamically determined through operation of the event analysis softwarethat additional service providers would be desirable at a particulartime and the computer of the system may provide outputs through anoutput device indicating a need to shift service providers from otherpositions to the drive through lanes, for example. Relative to a longertime horizon, the system 388 could be modeled through operation andappropriate software to evaluate the desirability of, for example,additional, or reconfigured drive-through lanes 402, 404 or higher speedtransaction devices 400, 400, 408. Such event simulation software mayinclude software which compares and correlates stored informationregarding operation of the system and facility at different times, underdifferent work flow conditions and during different types oftransactions. Such software may also evaluate performance of serviceproviders and/or the proficiency of service providers in different typesof transactions. Such software may also facilitate making decisionsrelated to operation of the facility, such as for example, times whenadditional staff are needed, when to open and close one or moredrive-through lanes, when to purchase additional quantities ofmedications, amounts of cash to have on hand and other parameters. Ofcourse these approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments otherapproaches may be used.

It should be understood that the devices and systems shown and themethods of operation described are exemplary. Embodiments may includeother types of apparatus and methods.

Thus the exemplary apparatus and method described achieve at least someof the above stated objectives, eliminate difficulties encountered inthe use of prior devices and systems, solve problems and attain at leastsome of the desirable results described herein.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity and understanding, however no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom because such terms are for descriptive purposes andare intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the descriptions andillustrations given herein are by way of examples and the invention isnot limited to the details shown or described.

Any feature of the invention that is described in the following claimsas a means for performing a function shall be construed as encompassingany means known to those skilled in the art to be capable of performingthe recited function and shall not be deemed limited to the meansdisclosed in the foregoing description or mere equivalents thereof.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, and theadvantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures,devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems,equipment, operations, methods and relationships are set forth in theappended claims.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a controller, wherein the controller isoperatively connected to a vehicle sensor that is associated with adrive-through lane, wherein the controller is operative to receiveoutput signals indicative of sensed magnetic field intensity from thevehicle sensor; wherein the controller is operative to process the atleast one output signal, wherein the controller is operative to generatea vehicle present signal that is indicative of the presence of a vehicleat a predetermined position responsive to an absolute value of an outputsignal substantially corresponding to a predetermined magnetic fieldentry amount associated with entry of a front end of a vehicle in thedrive-through lane at the predetermined position; wherein the controlleris operative to deactivate the vehicle present signal when the absolutevalue of a subsequent output signal associated with the predeterminedposition decreases from the predetermined magnetic field entry amount toa first predetermined magnetic field exit amount; wherein prior to arear end of the vehicle being sensed at a position adjacent to thepredetermined position, the predetermined magnetic field exit amountequals the first predetermined magnetic field amount; wherein the firstpredetermined magnetic field amount is greater than an ambient magneticfield amount at the predetermined position when no vehicle is present atthe predetermined position; and wherein subsequent to the rear end ofthe first vehicle being sensed at a position adjacent the predeterminedposition, the predetermined magnetic field exit amount is equal to asecond predetermined magnetic field amount, wherein the secondpredetermined magnetic field amount is greater than the firstpredetermined magnetic field amount.
 2. The apparatus set forth in claim1, wherein the controller is operative to determine at least one timevalue corresponding to generation of the vehicle present signal, andcause the at least one time value to be stored in the at least one datastore.
 3. The apparatus set forth in 1, wherein the controller isoperative to cause a first time value corresponding to generation of thevehicle present signal, to be stored in a data store; and wherein thecontroller is operative to cause a second time value corresponding todeactivation of the first vehicle present signal, to be stored in the atleast one data store.
 4. An apparatus, comprising: a vehicle sensor,wherein the vehicle sensor is operative to generate output signalsindicative of sensed conditions associated with a drive-through lane,wherein the at least one vehicle sensor is operative to generate a firstoutput signal indicative of the presence of a first portion of a firstvehicle in the drive-through lane at a predetermined position, whereinthe vehicle sensor is operative to generate a second output signalindicative of the presence of a second portion of the vehicle in thefirst drive-through lane at the predetermined position, wherein thevehicle sensor is operative to generate a third output signal indicativeof the absence of the vehicle in the drive-through lane at thepredetermined position, wherein the at least one vehicle sensor isoperative to generate an ambient output signal corresponding to novehicle being in the drive-through lane at the predetermined position;and a controller, wherein the controller includes a processor, whereinthe controller is operatively connected to the vehicle sensor, whereinthe controller is operative to process the output signals generated bythe vehicle sensor, wherein the controller is operative to respectivelycorrespond absolute values of the output signals to amounts, wherein anabsolute value of the first output signal corresponds to a firstpredetermined amount, wherein an absolute value of the ambient outputsignal corresponds to an ambient amount, wherein the controller isoperative to generate a vehicle present signal, responsive to receivingthe first output signal, wherein the controller is operative afterreceiving the second output signal, to deactivate the first vehiclepresent signal responsive to the second output signal having an absolutevalue that corresponds to a second predetermined amount, wherein thesecond predetermined amount is less than the first predetermined amount,wherein the controller is operative prior to receiving the second outputsignal, to deactivate the first vehicle present signal responsive to thethird output signal having an absolute value that corresponds to a thirdpredetermined amount, wherein the third predetermined amount is lessthan the second predetermined amount, and wherein the thirdpredetermined amount is greater than the ambient amount.
 5. Theapparatus set forth in claim 4, wherein the vehicle includes a front endand a rear end, wherein the first portion of the first vehicle includesthe front end and the second portion of the first vehicle includes therear end.
 6. The apparatus set forth in claim 4, wherein the vehiclesensor is operative to sense magnetic field intensity and generate atleast one output signal indicative of sensed magnetic field intensity.7. The apparatus set forth in claim 4, further comprising: a data storecoupled with the controller; wherein the controller is operative todetermine a time value corresponding to generation of the first vehiclepresent signal, and cause the time value to be stored in the data store.8. The apparatus set forth in claim 4, further comprising: a data store;wherein the controller is operative to cause a first time valuecorresponding to generation of the first vehicle present signal, to bestored in the data store; and wherein the controller is operative tocause a second time value corresponding to deactivation of the firstvehicle present signal, to be stored in the data store.
 9. An Apparatuscomprising: a vehicle sensor, wherein the at least one vehicle sensor isoperative to sense magnetic field intensity at a predetermined position;and a controller; wherein the controller includes a processor, whereinthe controller is in operative connection with the vehicle sensor,wherein the controller is operative to determine whether magnetic fieldintensity sensed by the at least one vehicle sensor is within either:(i) a high intensity range, wherein the high intensity range isindicative of a first vehicle being adjacent the first position, (ii) amiddle intensity range, wherein the middle intensity range is indicativeof the first vehicle leaving the first position, (iii) a low intensityrange, wherein the low intensity range is indicative of the firstvehicle being no longer present at the first position, or (iv) anambient intensity range, wherein the ambient intensity range isindicative of no vehicle being present at the predetermined position,wherein the ambient intensity range is less than the low intensityrange, which is less than the middle intensity range, which is less thanthe high intensity range, wherein the controller is operable tosequentially determine: that a front portion of the first vehicle isadjacent the first position, responsive to a first (i) being sensed,that a rear portion of the first vehicle is adjacent the first position,responsive to a second (i) being sensed, and that the first vehicle isno longer present at the first position, responsive to (ii) beingsensed, wherein the controller is also operable to sequentiallydetermine: that the vehicle is at the predetermined position responsiveto a first (i) being sensed, and that the vehicle is no longer presentat the predetermined position, responsive to (iii) being sensed prior toany sensing of a second (i).
 10. The apparatus set forth in claim 9,wherein the vehicle includes a front end and a rear end, wherein thefront portion comprises the front end and the rear portion comprises therear end.
 11. The apparatus set forth in claim 10, wherein thecontroller is operative to determine whether magnetic field intensitysensed by the vehicle sensor is within (v) an intermediate intensityrange, wherein the intermediate intensity range is indicative of amiddle portion of the vehicle being adjacent the predetermined position;wherein the controller is operable to sequentially determine: that afront portion of the first vehicle is adjacent the first position,responsive to (i) being sensed, that a middle portion of the firstvehicle is adjacent the predetermined position, responsive to (v) beingsensed, that a rear portion of the first vehicle is adjacent the firstposition, responsive to a second (i) being sensed, and then that thefirst vehicle is no longer present at the first position, responsive to(iv) being sensed.
 12. A tangible, non-transitory computer readablemedium of execution having instructions thereon for e receive signalsindicative of a sensed magnetic field intensity from a vehicle sensor;generate a vehicle present signal that is indicative of the presence ofa vehicle at a predetermined position responsive to an absolute value ofa signal substantially corresponding to a predetermined magnetic fieldentry amount associated with entry of a front end of a vehicle in thedrive-through lane at the predetermined position; deactivate the vehiclepresent signal when the absolute value of a subsequent signal associatedwith the predetermined position decreases from the predeterminedmagnetic field entry amount to a first predetermined magnetic field exitamount; wherein prior to a rear end of the vehicle being sensed at aposition adjacent to the predetermined position, the predeterminedmagnetic field exit amount equals the first predetermined magnetic fieldamount; wherein the first predetermined magnetic field amount is greaterthan an ambient magnetic field amount at the predetermined position whenno vehicle is present at the predetermined position; and whereinsubsequent to the rear end of the first vehicle being sensed at aposition adjacent the predetermined position, the predetermined magneticfield exit amount is equal to a second predetermined magnetic fieldamount, wherein the second predetermined magnetic field amount isgreater than the first predetermined magnetic field amount.
 13. Thecomputer readable medium set forth in claim 12, further operable todetermine at least one time value corresponding to generation of thevehicle present signal, and cause the at least one time value to bestored in the at least one data store.
 14. The computer readable mediumset forth in 12, further operable to cause a first time valuecorresponding to generation of the vehicle present signal, to be storedin a data store; and wherein the controller is operative to cause asecond time value corresponding to deactivation of the first vehiclepresent signal, to be stored in the at least one data store.